What is the nature of Banana? To Luke, Dave, Mike, and Sheldon, it's a curious predicament brought on by upbringing — growing up yellow on the outside, white on the inside. They're together to pay their last respects to Rick, the one Banana Boy who seemed to have it all, but was found dead in his living room, apparently of suicide.

The tragedy that has reunited the Banana Boys becomes the point from which we are introduced to the intertwined stories of a group of young friends caught in cultural and social limbo. Not really Chinese and not quite Canadian, the Banana Boys stumble through situations, incidents and interactions that ultimately explore the nature of identity and reveal the possibilities each character has within himself.

Peppered with piercing insights and laced with comic anecdotes, Banana Boys provides unforgettable texture to the ordinary — and extraordinary — tribulations of being twentysomething, male, and Asian in Canada. b

Product Description

Review

"Banana Boys is about Canadian-born hosers of Chinese descent ... These are characters I've met in real life, but until now, never in the pop media." -- Rice Paper

"In delineating the banana boys' families, Woo provides us with the complex history of the Chinese in Canada in microcosm." -- The Vancouver Sun

"Woo's characters...quickly become endearing...they are the kinds of Asians that one can only hope to start seeing in popular culture. Funny, smart and human." -- Ubyssey

"Woo's perceptions of this subculture of men are self-depreciating, edgy, and triumphant, rendering Banana Boys a must-read for all Asian Americans." -- Yolk Magazine (USA)--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Banana Boys was originally published by The Riverbank Press, which was acquired as an imprint of Cormorant Books in 2003.

Toronto-based production company FU-GEN Productions is currently mounting a stage production of Banana Boys.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Most helpful customer reviews

Ah the plight of the Canadian Born Chinese (CBC) male who lives between two worlds. He envies the Chinese FOBs (Fresh Off the Boat) who all seem to have a lot of money and the latest fashions. He envies Asian women of any birth right who seem to only date white men. Can he get no respect? One would be tempted to call this the Asian Male Joy Luck Club but that comparison might make the author have fits.The author does seem to dwell a little over much on white men/asian women coupling and seems to think the readers cares to hear time and time again what the author's favorite beer and favorite bands are.Once you get past that, it's ultimately offering a fresh, funny perspective and worth the read.

I'm the type to read 2 or 3 novels in a year. They usually take a lot of time and effort to get through.Getting throught the almost 400 pages of Banana Boys though, took almost a week and a half; and I couldn't read fast enough. Each of the 5 main characters is a foil of modern Asian Canadian angst. At the same time each character's story animates the larger narrative. This story is not just for Bananas - yellow on the outside, white in the middle. This book is for everyone searching to find out how they and their peers are melting into the modern Canadian mosaic.Highly recommended reading.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

Amazon.com:
3 reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Most engaging book in yearsJan. 21 2004

By
Timothy Washington
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

I'm the type to read 2 or 3 novels in a year. They usually take a lot of time and effort to get through.Getting throught the almost 400 pages of Banana Boys though, took almost a week and a half; and I couldn't read fast enough. Each of the 5 main characters is a foil of modern Asian Canadian angst. At the same time each character's story animates the larger narrative. This story is not just for Bananas - yellow on the outside, white in the middle. This book is for everyone searching to find out how they and their peers are melting into the modern Canadian mosaic.Highly recommended reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

A good first novelJan. 8 2005

By
Mindme
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

Ah the plight of the Canadian Born Chinese (CBC) male who lives between two worlds. He envies the Chinese FOBs (Fresh Off the Boat) who all seem to have a lot of money and the latest fashions. He envies Asian women of any birth right who seem to only date white men. Can he get no respect? One would be tempted to call this the Asian Male Joy Luck Club but that comparison might make the author have fits.The author does seem to dwell a little over much on white men/asian women coupling and seems to think the readers cares to hear time and time again what the author's favorite beer and favorite bands are.Once you get past that, it's ultimately offering a fresh, funny perspective and worth the read.

Understanding the Chinese American MaleDec 27 2006

By
fay y moy
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

I wanted to understand how Chinese American Males feel and think about their asian culture. Do they embrace or tried to break away. And this book offered interesting experiences with each of the character. I can easily identify why the characters in the book make the choice to define their role living as a ABC. We all want to make a mark in this World and this is what the stories is all about.